Press Release

AOL UK tempts broadband gamers
with ‘try before you buy’ option

The site is available to AOL members within the AOL Games Channel, and offers the choice of hundreds of leading free-to-play demo versions of games to download. These can then be upgraded to full titles and purchased without further downloads, giving AOL members a ‘try before you buy’ option. The service will go live within the next few weeks.

This method of games retailing eliminates the wait for delivery when buying a ‘physical’ product, such as a CD, so that gamers can start playing immediately. As a download service, the Trymedia offering is ideally suited to AOL Broadband members.

Gabe Zichermann, Vice-President of Strategy and Communications at Trymedia commented: “The UK is one of the most dynamic markets for PC games. We are excited that AOL UK will become the first major ISP in the UK to deliver our complete catalogue of downloads to users, and we expect consumers to feel the same.”

Each title comes as one complete download and requires no codes or keys for access, so the transaction process is streamlined for users. After downloading, AOL members will be able to play a free demo; typically restricted to an hour’s play, or a certain number of levels. If they want to purchase the full game they simply pay a fee online and the game is instantly unlocked. After purchase, users may also transfer the game to other computers they own, such as a laptop, and play without requiring an ongoing Internet connection or a CD.

The range of games on offer includes top PC games titles from the world’s leading publishers, as well as traditional games such as cards and puzzles that have been transferred to an online format. The service also offers online gift vouchers that can be purchased and emailed to others.

Kate Hall, Director of Entertainment at AOL UK, said: ''Broadband growth in the UK is affecting not just the way we use the Internet, but also the wider entertainment industry as broadband users discover, consume and purchase entertainment in new ways.

Gaming is now considered a mass market entertainment, and is increasingly important to AOL members. As a leading broadband content provider, we wanted to offer our members a wide range of downloadable games and an easy and convenient way to purchase the PC titles they want, without the hassle and delay of waiting for them to be delivered.

The deal with Trymedia gives us content that appeals to casual gamers who just want to play board or card games, and also the core gamer looking for value for money and a more challenging gaming experience.”

The games also come with a 30-day money back guarantee, and full online manuals and FAQs. Trymedia will also provide full online support via a complete self-help system as well as additional support services.


About AOL
AOL is the leading online interactive services provider to the UK, with more than two million members. AOL offers a range of online interactive services in the UK, including flat-rate, broadband and mobile, as well as unrivalled content and community for all the family.

Members spend more than one hour a day online on average, enjoying access to AOL's 24 channels of online content, from Entertainment and News to Parenting, Shopping and Your Money, as well as email and the Internet. All AOL members in the UK have access to freephone customer support.

The AOL service is provided to UK subscribers by AOL Europe Services SARL, a company in the AOL group based in Luxembourg. AOL (UK) Limited is part of AOL Europe, a business unit of America Online, Inc., which is the world's leading interactive services company with more than 33 million members worldwide. America Online, Inc. is a division of AOL Time Warner, the world's leading media and entertainment company.

About the AOL Broadband service
AOL Broadband is a fully-featured broadband service that allows members to enjoy all the excitement of AOL at up to 10 times faster than 'dial-up' Internet access. Members benefit from an 'always on' connection and are able to make telephone calls while they are online.

The service is packed with exciting innovative multimedia features, film trailers, stars and events from the music world, news, sports, cartoons and a whole selection of other content available solely to AOL Broadband members. There is also feature-packed email, Instant Messenger, Parental Controls and freephone customer support.

AOL Broadband costs £27.99 per month and members sign up for a minimum 12 month period. There is no upfront cost - both installation and the modem pack are completely free with AOL Broadband.

With broadband the high-speed online connection and voice calls can run in parallel over a standard telephone line. AOL Broadband operates at up to 600kbps (kilobits per second) depending upon the local telephone network. Everywhere that AOL’s telecoms suppliers are able to provide broadband connectivity, consumers will be able to get AOL Broadband.

It typically takes two weeks from the date of order until the customer is able to get on to AOL Broadband. This is because suppliers take this time to test the telephone line and provision the service.

AOL recommends all broadband users install firewall software. AOL Broadband members in the UK can download and use McAfee Personal Firewall Plus software to give them greater protection online - at no extra charge.

About Trymedia Systems
Trymedia Systems’ secure digital delivery services provide the neutral foundation for a wide range of solutions dedicated to optimizing game and software sales for top-tier PC content developers and publishers. Trymedia also operates the world’s largest B2B marketplace for downloadable games and software, through which major portals and other high-traffic destinations, as well as the largest Peer-to-Peer Networks, make a catalogue of ActiveMARK-enabled games and software available to consumers around the world. Trymedia is an Intel Capital funded company, headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Europe. For more information please visit www.trymedia.com.